Crowned with Honors

Every dance is an expression of passion, and every honor is a reflection of dedication.

The 2026 International Taoli Cup Dance Competition brought together dancers passionate about Chinese dance from the United States, Canada, China, and other regions around the world.

With a highly competitive field and a strong spirit of cultural and artistic exchange, the competition provided an international stage for Chinese dance.

After advancing through the semifinals and competing in the finals, members of the Southern California Chinese Dance Company distinguished themselves with strong technique, expressive performances, and artistry, earning numerous awards and bringing new honors to the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center (SCCCA).

All competition pieces were carefully choreographed and coached by Ms. Xue Han and Ms. Danmei Yang, who dedicated tremendous time and attention to refining each performance and guiding every dancer. The outstanding results reflect both the students’ hard work and the instructors’ professional teaching and artistic direction.

🏆 Semifinal Highlights — Advancing with Outstanding Results

During the highly competitive semifinals, our dancers delivered strong and consistent performances, receiving Elite Platinum, Platinum, Gold, first-place honors in multiple divisions, and special awards. All participants advanced to the finals with excellent scores.

👧 Children’s Group Dance

Elite Platinum:
“Whispers of Spring” (且吟春雨)
“Festival Doll” (年畫娃娃)
“Moon Foxes” (月狐吟)
“Echoes of a Lingering Summer” (思蟬)
“Awakening” (伎樂覺旋) – Elite Platinum, 1st Place in Dance Category, 1st Place in Children’s Advanced Division, Best Performance Award

Platinum:
“Joy in the Mulberry Fields” (採桑姑娘)
“Children of the Grassland” (草原的孩子)

Gold:
“Vibrant Brocade of Zhuang” (壯錦漣漪)

🌟 Junior Division — Outstanding Achievements Across the Board

Elite Platinum:
“Echo of the Nomad Hymn” (祿馬讚) — 1st Place in Junior Advanced Division
“Feathers to Heaven” (羽化登仙)
“Dancing Bells” (鈴鐺少女)
“All Grown Up” (悄悄長大)
“Veiled in Mist” (如煙) — 1st Place in Junior Advanced Division

Platinum:
“Tales of Spring” (春述) — 1st Place in Junior Intermediate Division
“Rain at Dusk” (暮雨英臺)
“Flying Apsara” (飛天)
“Blossoming” (索瑪花開)
“折枝盼”

Gold:
“Together” (牽)

✨ Youth Division — Dancing Toward Their Dreams

“Walking into the Light” (走進光裡):
Elite Platinum, 1st Place in Youth Intermediate Division

“Journey Through the Mortal World” (塵世閒遊):
Platinum Award

🌟 Finals — Returning with Even Greater Honors

At the Pan America International Taoli Cup Finals in Irvine, talented dancers gathered for another round of outstanding competition. Members of the Southern California Chinese Dance Company once again impressed audiences and judges, earning major honors for individual dancers, choreography, performances, and the organization.

🏅 Student & Performance Honors

All participating dancers received high-level honors, including Elite Platinum, Platinum, and Taoli Excellence Awards
Outstanding Choreography Award: Ms. Xue (Snow) Han received recognition for her original choreography, “Echo of the Nomad Hymn” (祿馬讚)

1st Place in Classical Dance Category: Annie Xiao

1st Place in Age Divisions: Annie Xiao, and Kylie Liao

Taoli Excellence Awards:

“Dancing Bells” (鈴鐺少女),

“Moon Foxes” (月狐吟),

“All Grown Up” (悄悄長大),

“Rain at Dusk” (暮雨英臺),

“Whispers of Spring” (且吟春雨),

“Awakening” (伎樂覺旋),

“Echo of the Nomad Hymn” (祿馬讚)

The Dunhuang-inspired group dance

“Awakening” (伎樂覺旋) was selected as a Featured Performance for the Awards Ceremony, bringing the beauty of Chinese dance to the finals stage

🎖️ Organization Honors

Received the prestigious Highest Honor School Award for the third consecutive year

Received the Taoli Spirit Award – Best Team Award

Recognized with the honorary title of “Home of Taoli Dancers”

💃 Dancing with Passion, Sharing Chinese Culture

The Southern California Chinese Dance Company was jointly established by the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center (SCCCA) and the Pan America Chinese Dance Alliance (PACDA) as a nonprofit dance company dedicated to preserving and promoting Chinese dance and culture.

The company provides dancers throughout Southern California with opportunities to learn, perform, and connect through dance.

Through both classical works and original choreography, dancers share Chinese culture while also telling stories inspired by the Chinese American community.

Members of the Southern California Chinese Dance Company are active throughout Orange County and regularly participate in community events, including annual Lunar New Year and Lantern Festival celebrations.

The company has also been invited to perform at NBA events, Orange County dance anniversary celebrations, and other community programs, sharing Chinese culture with diverse audiences.

Many middle and high school members have also received the President’s Volunteer Service Award in recognition of their contributions to community service and cultural outreach.

From advancing through the semifinals to earning honors at the finals, every award represents countless hours of practice, perseverance, and passion from our dancers, as well as the dedication and guidance of their instructors.

Looking ahead, we will continue to provide professional instruction and meaningful performance opportunities, helping our dancers grow artistically while bringing the beauty of Chinese dance and culture to broader communities and international stages.

South Coast Chinese Cultural Center once again congratulates all of our award-winning dancers and instructors!

The achievements continue, the passion lives on, and we look forward to even greater accomplishments ahead! 

2026–2027 DAS Dance Program Registration Is Now Open

2026–2027 Southern California Chinese Dance Company New Member Recruitment